SEPARATION
A different way to separate.
A structured process. A flexible approach. Your decisions.
A clearer way forward
Separation brings a lot of decisions. Some are straightforward. Others can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are trying to balance your own needs with those of your children and your former partner.
You might both want an amicable separation, but have different ideas about what that looks like.
I help you make sense of what needs to happen, explore your options and work towards arrangements that you can both feel comfortable with.
How it works
Every separation is different. These are the things we can work through together, but how we do that will depend on your circumstances. Sometimes we'll meet together, sometimes separately, and sometimes I'll help you communicate and work through decisions without needing to meet face to face.
1. Start with an intake conversation
We begin by understanding your circumstances, what matters to each of you and whether this approach is suitable.The initial intake appointment is conducted for the purpose of assessing the circumstances of your matter and its suitability for mediation or Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) or other resolution process.
3. Explore your options
We work through the possibilities, consider different perspectives and develop arrangements that make sense for your circumstances. Where needed, mediation can form part of this process.
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4. Bring it all together
As decisions are made, we record what you've agreed, identify anything outstanding and work towards a clear set of proposed arrangements.
5. Make it formal
You can each obtain independent legal advice before deciding whether to formalise your agreement through the appropriate legal process.
As much or as little help as you need
You might want guidance through the whole process or assistance with just a few decisions. We'll work out an approach that suits your circumstances.
What can we work through?
From the big decisions to the practical details.
Separation involves more than dividing property or making parenting arrangements. There are often many interconnected decisions, and it can be difficult to know where to start.We can work through:
Parenting arrangements
Where children will live, how they'll spend time with each parent, communication, shared responsibilities and the practicalities of parenting across two households.
Property and finances
Understanding your financial circumstances, identifying assets and liabilities, exploring options for dividing property and considering your respective financial needs.
The practicalities of separating
What happens with the family home, managing expenses in the meantime, timelines, communication and the arrangements needed while you work towards a longer-term agreement.
Decisions you're finding difficult
Sometimes you're mostly on the same page but have a few issues you can't resolve. We can focus on those particular decisions without having to revisit everything else.
Experience makes a different.
I have spent more than 22 years working in family law, helping people navigate separation, parenting and property matters.
I have seen how quickly the process can become complicated, expensive and adversarial, even when neither person wanted it to be that way.
My approach brings together my experience as a family lawyer, accredited family law specialist and mediator, but with a different focus.
Rather than representing one person against the other, I work with you both to understand what needs to be addressed, consider your options and develop arrangements that reflect your circumstances.
I don't provide legal advice to either of you in this process. You remain free to obtain independent legal advice, so you can make informed decisions before entering into any binding agreement.
My role is not to decide your future for you. It's to help you work out what that future might look like.
What does it cost?
We start with a complimentary, no obligation 10-minute conversation to explore whether this approach might work for you.
Further sessions and assistance are tailored to your circumstances, with clear pricing provided upfront so you can decide how you would like to proceed.
Ready to find a way forward.
You don't need to have all the answers before you begin.
Let's have a conversation about your circumstances and whether this approach might work for you.